Grundy Reporter

Illinois State Board of Education Policy Planning Committee met June 2.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

I. Roll Call

Chairperson Susie Morrison brought the meeting to order at 12:31 p.m. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was present with three members. Chairperson Morrison verified that each member could hear one another and follow the discussion, and that they were able to testify.

Committee Members Present

Chairperson Susie Morrison

Dr. Donna Leak (virtual)

Jaime Guzman (virtual)

Other Board Members Present

Darren Reisberg, arrived at 12:33 p.m.

Staff Present

Dr. Carmen I. Ayala, State Superintendent

Kirsten Parr, Board Services Coordinator

Kim Clarke, Executive Assistant to the State Superintendent

Barbara Moore, Director of Special Education

Dr. Brenda Dixon, Research and Evaluation Officer

Dr. Christine Paxson, Director of ESSA/IL-EMPOWER

Dr. Ernesto Matias, Education Officer

Marci Johnson, Director of CTE and Innovation

Oriana Wilson, Executive Director of Programs

Robert Wolfe, Financial Officer

Dr. Sean Clayton, Director of Assessment

Irma Snopek, Policy and Communications Officer

Mark Haller, Director of Nutrition

Jeremy Duffy, Legal Officer

Maureen Font, Director of Data Strategies and Analytics

Kim Barnes-Cummins, Supervisor of Student Care

Emily Fox, Director of Educator Effectiveness

Sergio Hernandez, Director of Family and Community Engagement

II. Public Participation

There was no public participation.

III. Approval of the May 3 2022, Meeting Minutes

Mr. Guzman made the motion for the Education Policy Planning Committee to approve the May 3, 2022, meeting minutes. Dr. Leak seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote.

IV. Discussion Items

A. 2021 Report Card Q&A

Ms. Font noted that the national assessment participation rates for school year 2020-21 are not available yet. She also shared student assessment participation trends by race and ethnicity.

Chair Morrison asked when the spring 2022 data is available, and the answer was October.

Mr. Guzman appreciated the team sharing this data. He wondered how ISBE can support districts in increasing participation for black and Hispanic students. Dr. Dixon noted that there are some programs in place and mentioned that there were significant reductions in participation and a small percentage of students were testing.

Chair Morrison shared that the disparities for third graders stood out to her. She would like ISBE to support younger students so they are not behind.

B. IL-EMPOWER

Ms. Paxson focused on IL-EMPOWER's strategic plan. She shared the recommendations from the external evaluation report.

Chair Morrison asked about the expected timeline, and Ms. Paxson noted the initiative will start in fiscal year 2023.

Dr. Ayala asked when the learning series will be available on the website, and the answer was mid-August.

Chair Morrison asked what the plan is for targeted schools. Ms. Paxson noted the team is analyzing the school improvement report, which will help determine how to best service targeted schools.

Chair Morrison asked if targeted schools had to write a School Improvement Plan, and the answer was yes.

Chair Morrison asked what technical assistance is available. Ms. Paxson noted that there is a helpline and coordinators can assist. Chair Morrison asked how many people have used the helpline, and Ms. Paxson stated she can follow up with the committee.

Chair Morrison asked about next school year’s timeline. Ms. Paxson noted it is still being evaluated and is inhouse.

Chair Morrison asked about the expected implementation timeline. Ms. Paxson noted the team hopes to have it in place for FY 2023 and can follow up with the committee.

Chair Morrison asked about the types of partners. Ms. Paxson noted there are primary partners and approved learning partners.

Chair Morrison asked if districts are using the partners. Ms. Paxson noted that districts are using approved learning partners, and team members are deciding if they will continue with primary partners.

Mr. Guzman asked if the training content is created internally, and the answer was yes.

Mr. Guzman asked who districts go to if they have questions about the trainings. Ms. Paxson noted the districts can speak to coordinators, and there are different resources across the state.

Dr. Leak noted that some schools are working with primary partners now. She asked if there will be a new vetting process for the new school year. Dr. Matias noted that internal conversations are occurring regarding this topic and hopes to get back to the committee by next week.

Chair Morrison asked if ISBE staff from other departments are helping to inform strategies and deliveries. The answer was yes, and Ms. Paxson noted there is a lot of collaboration occurring.

Chair Morrison asked the team to share the strategic plan.

V. Review of June Board Action Items

A. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – FY 2023 Virtual Coaching/Mentoring for New Teachers Chair Morrison asked how the Illinois Education Association (IEA) and the Illinois Federation of Teachers are working on recruitment practices. Ms. Fox noted that IEA is scheduling one-on-one meetings with districts and are meeting with regional entities. She asked for follow up on any current or future recruitment efforts.

Mr. Reisberg noted that regional superintendents can also help in their respective regions.

B. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Award of Invitation for Bid for USDA Foods Warehousing and Distribution There were no questions for this item.

C. Contracts and Grants Over $1 Million - Approval of Amendment to Lanter Distributing LLC Contract for the USDA Foods Warehousing and Distribution There were no questions for this item.

D. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Request Approval to Release FY 2023 Parent Mentor Program Grant to

Southwest Organizing Project (State General Revenue Funds)

Mr. Guzman asked why the Board has to take action to release the funds. Mr. Hernandez explained that any initiative over $1 million has to be approved by the Board.

Dr. Leak encouraged the team to continue to collect data.

Chair Morrison asked if the initiative is still in the pilot stage; it was clarified that the initiative is in the implementation stage.

Chair Morrison asked who the target parents are for the initiative. Mr. Hernandez noted that the program focuses on low-income families.

Chair Morrison asked if the team collects data annually. The answer was yes, and Mr. Hernandez explained there is a survey that shares outcome data and a survey for teachers that he can share with the committee.

E. Approval Enhanced General Supervision Plan Regarding CPS Special Education There were no questions for this item.

F. Approval of State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board Appointees There were no questions for this item.

G. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Qualified Language Interpreters Training Mr. Guzman asked how many interpreters are going to be trained. Ms. Moore shared that there are over 50,000 students with disabilities. The team does not have an estimated number of interpreters yet.

Mr. Guzman asked how potential interpreters know about the opportunity. Ms. Moore noted the team is communicating with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to advertise trainings.

Dr. Leak asked if the initiative will impact local school district funding, and the answer was no.

H. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval of the KIDS Coaching IGA Extension Chair Morrison asked when the team issued the RFSP, and the answer was in winter 2021.

Chair Morrison asked what the current status of the initiative is. Ms. Wilson noted the team is still looking for a vendor and is in the process of reviewing applications.

Dr. Leak reminded the team to check the KIDS memo to clarify the superintendent’s date.

VI. Review of August Board Action Items

A. Approval for Publication - Part 226 (Special Education) Dr. Matias and Ms. Moore presented on this item. Mr. Guzman reminded the team to touch base with organizations and stakeholders.

B. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval to Release an RFSP to Enter into a Competitive Bid for the Administration of the Illinois Science Assessment

Dr. Dixon and Dr. Clayton presented on this item.

Chair Morrison asked how many years the contract is for, and the answer was four years. Dr. Clayton also shared the current vendors and their goal is to have one vendor.

Chair Morrison asked the team to share a timeline. Dr. Clayton noted that the plan is to release an RFSP in late October.

It was confirmed that the science assessment has to follow the standards, and the questions have to be in alignment with learning standards

C. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval to Release FY 2023 Parenting Education Pilot Program Grant to ParenTeach

Dr. Matias and Mr. Hernandez presented on this item.

Chair Morrison asked if the initiative is a sole source, and the answer is yes. It was confirmed that it is a member’s initiative.

Dr. Leak asked what the expectation is for expansion after the pilot is complete. Mr. Hernandez noted the team is working with Harvard University to create an evaluation, and stated the team will determine next steps after the evaluation is complete.

Mr. Guzman is interested in the number of educators that have been reached and trained, and it was confirmed this can be shared in a Board weekly update.

D. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval to Release a Request for Sealed Proposals (RFSP) and Award a Subsequent Contract to Conduct Initial School-Level Needs Assessments for IL-EMPOWER Schools Dr. Matias and Ms. Paxson presented on this item.

Chair Morrison asked about the timeline. Ms. Paxson noted once it is approved in August, the procurement process quickly follows. It was confirmed that the initiative was put in place for comprehensive schools.

Mr. Reisberg wondered why the team was not seeking Board approval in June; Ms. Paxson agreed she is in support of moving the initiative to June.

E. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million - Approval to Award a Sole Source Grant to Youth Build Illinois Dr. Matias and Ms. Johnson presented on this item.

Chair Morrison asked how many member initiatives the team has, and it was confirmed there are 13. Chair Morrison asked what the total dollar amount is, and the answer was $20 million.

Dr. Leak wondered if this contract can be moved to June, and staff members said they will check if this is possible.

F. Contracts & Grants Over $1 Million – Approval of Request to Enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement with University of Illinois Springfield

Dr. Matias and Ms. Barnes-Cummins presented on this item.

Dr. Leak asked if this is solely a renewal, and the answer was yes.

Mr. Guzman encouraged student voices to be included in the conversation.

VII. New Business: Items for the Next Agenda

Mr. Guzman noted that the Whole Child Task Force could be a potential item for August. Ms. Parr noted that a competency-based education pilot will be shared in August as well. VIII. Next Meeting: August 9, 2022

IX. Adjourn

Dr. Leak made a motion to adjourn. Mr. Guzman seconded the motion, and it passed by a unanimous roll call vote. Chairperson Morrison adjourned the committee at 2:11 p.m.

https://www.isbe.net/Documents_Board_Meetings/20220602-EPP-Minutes.pdf